‘Patient Zeta’ AIDS Testing Clinic Closed Down

by Rayne Millaray

Foes call Los Angeles facility a porn industry sham.

The clinic that gave "Patient Zeta," now known to be porn actor Derrick Burts, his HIV positive diagnosis has been ordered to cease and desist all treatment of patients, effective immediately. But the reason is far less sordid than Burts' claim earlier today that the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation is lying about how he contracted the disease, or California's annoyance at AIM's citing of federal doctor/patient confidentiality laws to dodge notifying state agencies about positive—or negative—STI results.

That's what the state is saying, anyway, though we have to wonder at the timing. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, with full backing of the state, told AIM to close their doors immediately because they failed to complete the application process for the proper practicing license. Apparently, they had been operating under a physician's license, and should have been operating under a community clinic license. The Department of Public Health says AIM filed the paperwork for the correct license, but didn't provide all the necessary information, and never responded to follow-up requests.

The clinic is allowed to transfer files and discuss test results with current patients but must refer all treatment elsewhere.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a non-profit medical group that has been critical of AIM, applauded the shutdown. “After years of total inaction, Los Angeles County officials have finally shut down AIM—the porn industry's sham clinic,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF.